Youíve probably heard it before: communication is the key to a healthy relationship. Especially where money is concerned. Whether youíre dating, living with someone, common-law or married, being transparent about finances with your partner is the best way to avoid arguments and work together for a secure and less worrisome future.

A prenuptial agreement is not just something for the wealthy. Statistics show that almost 50% of marriages end in divorce, so a prenuptial agreement is something that may help ease potential legal difficulty and help protect the assets that you have worked hard to accumulate.

You might want to consider a prenuptial agreement if:

There is the possibility that you will receive an inheritance in the future.

You or your partner owns a business.

You or your partner is paying child support.

You have children from a previous relationship and want to ensure they are taken care of.

You want to protect your own assets such as your home, investments, or retirement fund.

Common-law is a legal relationship status that can apply to both same-sex and different-sex unmarried couples in New Brunswick. Itís very important to be aware of this, since there are financial obligations and property rights that kick in automatically after a certain time period of living with your partner. For more information, check the New Brunswick Government website www.gnb.ca.

If you have a significant other in your life, ask them to work through these tools with you! By comparing notes, you'll be able to understand each other better and smooth out potential problems before they happen.

Money and Values Worksheet- When you spend money or make investment decisions, you might actually be repeating the actions of your parents and family members without considering if those actions work for you. Use this worksheet to discover how your money values were formed, how this has influenced your spending habits and perhaps even a few things you'll want to change!

Financial Roadmap Goal Setting Chart - A financial roadmap will outline your values, goals and financial plans. It can help you focus on accomplishing your goals by outline the steps you'll take to get there.

Budget- A budget is a tool that helps you gauge exactly where your finances are now, and helps you get them where you want to be. A well-balanced budget should help you make financial decisions with confidence, and worry less about your future.